The background behind this trip was that my Cousin needed some electrical items which I confess I know little about . He is the one who is the engineer. He ordered the items he needed to be sent down to Greece but they never turned up even though they were sent UPS. Now when I heard this I thought ''oh they must have been stolen in Greece''. I guess I should not have jumped to this conclusion because investigations turned out that they were stolen in the UK !

Anyway my Cousin was refunded and was going to order again . I advised him not to bother and that I would get them delivered to my Mums house and I could bring them down . We didnt want to risk them getting stolen again and next time they may not refund . The cost was over GBP300 so not something you want to loose.

I had the time off work and I never need an excuse to pop down to Athens especially when its 32C and Sunny

I was a bit concerned when I was at my Mums house that the weight was going to be a problem . It was around 30-32KG maybe a bit more. I weighed it a few times and my Mum was asking me if I was sure I would be ok . I kept saying yes and trying to convince myself too . My Family had ordered some items of shopping too so I had about 27-30KG in the other bag too . Still I kept positive and ordered my taxi to LHR .

I said goodbye to my Mum and made my way in the taxi . Not long after around 35-40 mins we were at T1. I paid and tipped the driver and made my way into the check in .

BMI handle Aegean Airlines still so I checked in there . I approached the desk a bit nervous hoping I would get a nice check in agent who was in a good mood. I didnt take any photos just in case

I put both bags on the scales and she said '' You know your over your allowance?'' I replied ''Yes I know Im sorry Im normally way under or exactly on the limit but I just have this item as we needed to re order due to it being stolen''. She said '' Well we will let it go this time but just remember for next time '' and smiled at me. I was so relieved and thanked her alot.

She gave me my Boarding pass and advised me that I could use the BMI / BA Great British Lounge. She then told me to take the box to outsized bags as it would not fit down the normal belts.

The new branded BA/BMI desks :

Dual branding again :

So it was time to go through security which took no more than a few minutes. I decided to go to the Star Alliance lounge as they normally have a decent spread in the buffet.

Shortly after the BMI staff saw that their beloved BMI livery had been ''enhanced'' by BA and started to take photos on their phones and chatting about it . Some liked it and some said it was a shame ''end of an era'' to quote one. I can only imagine the mixed feelings for these loyal and highly trained BMI staff.

After a while boarding for Business Class and Star Golds was announced so I made my way onboard. I was greeted at the door by two friendly young FAs in Greek . ( My time in Ireland has not taken away my Med look ) luckily

The familiar A3 cabin we have come to expect. Clean and welcoming .

The crew handed out their signature menu's :

Pre take off sweet :

Choice of pre take off orange or Champagne this is the only point where I have to mark them down. Plastic cups for the welcome drink .

Before commencing our decent the FA came to me and asked me if I would like another drink. I decided to go for a Greek traditional liquer called ''Mastixa'' which is from the Island of Chios and very pleasant . I was also offered Chocolates.

Soon after the cabin was prepared for landing and we touched down in ATH

Soon it was time to disembark and I thanked the crew for a most enjoyable flight. They smiled alot when I said that and I think they were glad someone recognised their efforts.

I made my way to the baggage reclaim and awaited my ''heavy'' items

My Cousin was waiting in the arrivals for me and when he saw the box he was actually surprised how big it was and said to me ''how did you manage that ? ''. I said to him ''with difficulty'' lol... I then handed him the trolley and told him ''right Ive done my job its yours now''

We made our way to the car park where I shot this poster. Yes I do love Greece very much

Time to load the cargo :

So in around 35 mins taking the fast toll road we were in Piraeus and time to un pack :

And time for me to do my bit for the local Greek economy

I think I got to bed at 4am but at 7am I was up again as I felt the warm Sun rising and decided to make the mot of it and go to the bakery for fresh bread

Breakfast time :

So thats the end of this report guys . I hope you enjoyed it . Aegean again proved that they are a top quality carrier with great crew and a top notch Business Class product. The aircraft were spotless and the loads were very heatlhy. 100% full down the back and not a bad load in J .

I love the way they bring Greek food to the International stage on their flights with a good selection of Greek wines too . They really are good promoters of the good things Greece continues to offer in these hard times.

I love to hear all of your comments as usual it is great to see every one of them and makes the effort even more worthwhile

Dont believe all of the media hype the country is open for business and there are no strikes planned for the whole Summer season The hotels and restaurants are all open and the night clubs too .

Greece is in very hard times but its still a wonderful country with natural beauty , lovely beaches and some great food . Oh and yes its still in the Euro lol...

Very nice report Phil....perfect to whet my appetite before my Aegean flights next week to Cyprus!

Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): I put both bags on the scales and she said '' You know your over your allowance?'' I replied ''Yes I know Im sorry Im normally way under or exactly on the limit but I just have this item as we needed to re order due to it being stolen''. She said '' Well we will let it go this time but just remember for next time '' and smiled at me. I was so relieved and thanked her alot.

Well no issues now A3 give me 3 x 32Kilos since they introduced their new luggage allowance. I think its similar to BA now . I dont intend to try going that much over my allowance I couldnt carry it LOL...

Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 10):So can A3 pax still use the BD lounge, or did you fly before the end of May?

Yes it was early June so was recent enough and I have not heard any changes so you should be good to go . Dont show your Star Alliance card at entry just your J Class boarding pass otherwise I heard it can confuse them.

Yes but dont you find in the Sun you dont need as much sleep . ? In the Northern Winters I get so tired and fed up . Look at the weather today it was terrible here in Ireland. High winds and rain was like someone turned on a tap and its been like that for 24 hours !

I've read a few reports about Aegean and they always look to provide a really substantial Business Class service on a relatively short flight - I'm always amazed though how so many of these cabins are so empty! I guess I'm just used to the US where F always seems to leave full at domestic airports.

Quoting OA260 (Thread starter):Now when I heard this I thought ''oh they must have been stolen in Greece''. I guess I should not have jumped to this conclusion because investigations turned out that they were stolen in the UK !

Haha. I guess you can't jump to conclusions in this day and age. At least there was a refund

Quoting OA260 (Thread starter):I put both bags on the scales and she said '' You know your over your allowance?'' I replied ''Yes I know Im sorry Im normally way under or exactly on the limit but I just have this item as we needed to re order due to it being stolen''. She said '' Well we will let it go this time but just remember for next time '' and smiled at me. I was so relieved and thanked her alot.

That was nice of her and luckily you could take the electronics with you without penalty

Quoting OA260 (Reply 8):My Cousin was waiting in the arrivals for me and when he saw the box he was actually surprised how big it was and said to me ''how did you manage that ? ''. I said to him ''with difficulty'' lol... I then handed him the trolley and told him ''right Ive done my job its yours now'

Yes, with great difficulty, indeed. Hehe.

Quoting OA260 (Reply 8):And time for me to do my bit for the local Greek economy

Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 19):Seems like they have been busy in the last month or so since i was there. As i pointed out in my report, the one and only mention of BA at that time was an A4 sized notice in the lounge.

Yes they didnt waste any time and I guess they need to make it as clear as possible. It must be an operational task to get everyone where they should be .

Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 19):Hmmm not too sure about that - might have to make it a timeshare between you, myself and Gab!

Haha well I guess for fellow TR reporters its a joint share. But if I ever see you there I will expect you to vacate the property lol... BTW no eating crisps and making a mess and no shoes on the couch itself

Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 19):Hoping its a -600 for my flight in October, although looking at the seat plan its down as a -300. Still any kind of A340 will do!

Yeah well you never know . Like you say getting on a IB A340 will be fab in itself . I look forward to that TR .

Great spot, despite the weather, a great way to spend some time while waiting for a plane.

A3 offers a great service on their flights. Great way to show that Greek companies can still leave up to expectations and go a step ahead offering such an excellent service on an international European route, they are up to match the best airlines in Europe, wish them luck!

Thanks for the pictures of Greece, a great destination for those in need of some Med weather during the summer.

Quoting eicvd (Reply 21):Hi Philip
Thanks for posting another excellent trip report. Your LHR reports remind me why I love flying into Heathrow when im over in London for a day or weekend. All those "exotic" widebodies.....

Hi Mark thanks for posting . Yes LHR is always great to be at with so much varied metal to see. Shame the old viewing terraces at the Queens Building are gone long ago that was a great place as a Kid where I used to spot.

Quoting eicvd (Reply 21):Having another dig at the Irish weather in summer are we?

Haha well I was on the phone to my family and they are complaining it 40C ! So maybe I should swap with them

Quoting eicvd (Reply 21):Wish I was visiting that lounge instead of the EIGC when im next over in London

Well never say never Im sure you will love the EI one .

Quoting eicvd (Reply 21):How could anyone not love waking up to that view every morning, its just beautiful

Yes I love it puts me in such a good mood. I guess if I lived there I would get immune to it but love it all the same.

Quoting eicvd (Reply 21):Looking forward to reading your final report on your business jet like flight with EI

Very true Roger I never need an excuse . I can always justify flying .

Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 22):Nice touch, great to see there are still some human beings behind a desk.

Indeed always nice when someone goes the extra mile and provides good service.

Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 22):Great way to show that Greek companies can still leave up to expectations and go a step ahead offering such an excellent service on an international European route, they are up to match the best airlines in Europe, wish them luck!

Indeed Roger its great to see both Aegean and Olympic Air offering a decent product in such times. I hope they weather the financial storm too . Mind you recent A3 figures seem to be healthier than some of their Western European cousins even though A3 made a loss.

Hey sir, that is *my* spot! I spend a good number of quality hours there back in January, thankyouverymuch!

Quoting OA260 (Reply 6):And time for me to do my bit for the local Greek economy

Good for the Greek if that souvlaki joint is indeed still run by the locals. Here in Finland like most of the Europe you'd find a bunch of Middleeastern guys there running the fast food place. Sure, they might pay their taxes (or on a similar strike of luck might not), but in any case I would have a hard time referring to that as "the local economy"...

Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 25):Aegean biz class looks great, but nothing less is assumed from them, after all their economy product is already one of the best in Europe so they certainly need to work hard to top that in biz class!

Well I would expect them to offer a decent product down the back . Something I believe they beat Swiss on . Swiss J is top notch but I hear differing stories down the back lately .

Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 25):Hey sir, that is *my* spot! I spend a good number of quality hours there back in January, thankyouverymuch!

Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 25):Good for the Greek if that souvlaki joint is indeed still run by the locals. Here in Finland like most of the Europe you'd find a bunch of Middleeastern guys there running the fast food place. Sure, they might pay their taxes (or on a similar strike of luck might not), but in any case I would have a hard time referring to that as "the local economy"...

Well lucky this is a Greek family owned business who has been in the local community for over 20 years. He has watched me grow up and as soon as I land I run round and its like seeing family. I know his Kids and the workers many of whom have been there over 5-7 years. Its a lovely set up which is quite rare today .

Very nice on my friend! What a miserable looking LHR with the rain, glad you got to spot quite some nice machinery there, otherwise the wait for your flight would've been very dull.
Aegean performing very well once again, I love the fact that they serve this lovely local cuisine!

Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): I guess I should not have jumped to this conclusion because investigations turned out that they were stolen in the UK !

great report and indeed a good excuse to bring another visit to Greece

Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): I advised him not to bother and that I would get them delivered to my Mums house and I could bring them down . We didnt want to risk them getting stolen again and next time they may not refund . The cost was over GBP300 so not something you want to loose.

How nice of you!

Quoting OA260 (Thread starter):I put both bags on the scales and she said '' You know your over your allowance?'' I replied ''Yes I know Im sorry Im normally way under or exactly on the limit but I just have this item as we needed to re order due to it being stolen''. She said '' Well we will let it go this time but just remember for next time '' and smiled at me.

How nice of her! That's very friendly service. She gives you a warning in a friendly tone, definitely she's trained to commucate with a customer.

Your TRs are such a treat, but this time, there was a sentence that reminded me of everything I miss from Greece : waking up early in the morning to go to the bakery. EARLY MORNING SUN AND A SMELL OF FRESH BREAD....Priceless, my friend.

Yes I like it but alot dont but when you see it up close you get it . Those that dont need to go to Specsavers LOL

Quoting sultanils (Reply 27):Yeah - I bet they must go through some emotional times as well.

Yes I know a few of the staff having travelled with BMI for over 10 years and you get to know the faces. Although alot are sadly gone already some long timers still remain . I can only wish them the best .

Quoting airbuseric (Reply 28):great report and indeed a good excuse to bring another visit to Greece

Yes indeed

Quoting airbuseric (Reply 28):Ah yes, almost forgot. Tell me more about this one because I want to use it also... it's T3 isn't it? Hmm... so that means another flight to BCN or do I have other choices from T3?

No Eric its T1 International . BA has their own lounge in T3 we were in it remember ? BCN ! That was a nice trip on the B757 .

Quoting airbuseric (Reply 28):When I saw this picture I really want to go to Greece again too. I love the country and atmosphere there. The food, the sun, the music... It seems not in 2012 though. Maybe next year again...

Yes well I hope you book and go next year and enjoy it once again . Prices are good these days so great for tourists.

Quoting Aleksandar (Reply 29):Your TRs are such a treat, but this time, there was a sentence that reminded me of everything I miss from Greece : waking up early in the morning to go to the bakery. EARLY MORNING SUN AND A SMELL OF FRESH BREAD....Priceless, my friend.

Добро јутро Alex

Thanks for the reply and yes the bakery in Greece in the morning is a favourite of mine. You can smell the cakes and bread half way up the street Maybe just as well I dont live there .

Another fab report mate. Really enjoyed it. Glad to see that A3 are up to their usual high standard. They really are an amazing little airline and I really hope they continue to do well. It's nice to see quality carriers survive in a very tough economic climate.

Greece looks stunning as usual. I can't wait to get there later in the week. I need some warmth and sunshine after the crap weather we've had recently.

Looking forward to reading about your return journey.

Cheers,

Gareth

According to one of my colleagues, my problem is that I'm addicted to travel!

Nice job once more taking us with you on this particular trip. Great spotting photos at LHR. I'm loving the idea of sitting on a couch and watching all those heavies parading in front of me, all the while it's raining outside (I love rain).

Quoting OA260 (Thread starter):I put both bags on the scales and she said '' You know your over your allowance?'' I replied ''Yes I know Im sorry Im normally way under or exactly on the limit but I just have this item as we needed to re order due to it being stolen''. She said '' Well we will let it go this time but just remember for next time '' and smiled at me. I was so relieved and thanked her alot.

How nice of her. What a relief it must have been for you I guess.

Quoting OA260 (Thread starter):After a while boarding for Business Class and Star Golds was announced so I made my way onboard. I was greeted at the door by two friendly young FAs in Greek . ( My time in Ireland has not taken away my Med look ) luckily

Haha. You know, every time I fly A3 or OA the crew also thinks I'm Greek and they greet me as such. I guess it's hard to tell us Balkans apart.

Quoting OA260 (Reply 8):a Greek traditional liquer called ''Mastixa'' which is from the Island of Chios and very pleasant

I love that thing! Oh why did you have to remind me of it?

Quoting OA260 (Reply 8):And time for me to do my bit for the local Greek economy

Normally I would be drooling all over this photo but I just found a very authentic greek takeaway place in my neighborhood and I'm chomping on some gyro as we speak...

It's great to see that A3 continue to offer an excellent product. I know that it's not in their future intentions but I'm very curious to see how their long-haul product would look like.

Quoting gpbcroppers63 (Reply 31):Another fab report mate. Really enjoyed it. Glad to see that A3 are up to their usual high standard. They really are an amazing little airline and I really hope they continue to do well. It's nice to see quality carriers survive in a very tough economic climate.

Hey Gareth thanks glad you enjoyed it . Yes as you know from your own flights A3 normally excel.

Quoting gpbcroppers63 (Reply 31):Greece looks stunning as usual. I can't wait to get there later in the week. I need some warmth and sunshine after the crap weather we've had recently.

Yeah and I am just a wee bit jealous of your trip it sounds fab and I know you will all have a great time .

Great report of the A3 Business. They sure seem to offer a very nice product, I'd love to try them some day. I'd love to visit Greece one day, for that matter! That Great British Lounge sure seems nice. I wonder what will happen to it in the long run.

Quoting retrolivery (Reply 34):This photo brings back so many memories of when I lived in Athens and Syros as a teenager, I ate that exact same breakfast almost every day!

Hey thanks for the reply. I love Syros although I have not been there since the June 1989 election time. An Aunt of mine was posted there for a few years and we went for a visit before all coming back to Athens to vote.

Oh I know I dont know why people feel they can take other peoples property.

Quoting akhmad (Reply 36):Psst! They just shooed away some people there when you showed up.

Haha funny enough most of the time its vacant .

Quoting akhmad (Reply 36):Amazing! Three meal courses followed by coffee and digestive.

Yes they offered a very good spread for the intra European flight.

Quoting akhmad (Reply 36):No doubt about that. Especially when they got compliments from a good looking customer.

Haha I dont know about that Suryo

Quoting adamspotter (Reply 37):Another excellent report as usual, great stuff! Aegean Business Class looks great, they seemed to have taken good care of you. Love the BA lounge too Great spotting pictures from the lounge!

Yes more and more are being painted everyday . They are doing it with great pace .

Quoting deltamartin (Reply 38):Great report of the A3 Business. They sure seem to offer a very nice product, I'd love to try them some day. I'd love to visit Greece one day, for that matter!
That Great British Lounge sure seems nice. I wonder what will happen to it in the long run.

Thanks Martin . Get booking and go take a nice well earnt vacation

Regards the lounge there are rumors the London Room ( Domestic Lounge ) will close and then they will just use the GBL which makes sense. Cant be viable to keep both .

Great pictures, Phil,
thank you and good to know that you promote Greece these days.
Definitely a hard time for the country.
Aegean biz looks like really good, something for me also.
Greetings,
Markus(FLIEGER67)

Quoting The777Man (Reply 40):A3 looks better than most carriers in C in Europe! Very impressive. Meal look better than what Gabriel Chew had on his LHR-LCA flight a few weeks later.

Yes it did seem better on the ATH run .

Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 41):Great pictures, Phil,
thank you and good to know that you promote Greece these days.
Definitely a hard time for the country.
Aegean biz looks like really good, something for me also.
Greetings,

Hi Markus many thanks . Yes something for you to maybe burn some miles on in future